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But Mr Hunt said the only thing holding things up was MPs finding the time to make the legislation.

He told the Lords committee last week: ’We have committed to introducing legislation for regulatory reform. It is a question of finding a parliamentary slot.’

But he said there was also ’lots of things you can do without changing regulation’ and ‘we should be getting on and doing those’.

The health secretary said earlier this month that consultations on regulating physician associates would start next year.

Currently physician associates can join a voluntary register, operated by the Royal College of Physicians.

In the same House of Lords evidence session, Mr Hunt said that 'some of the most forward-thinking American healthcare organisations' have been able to achieve 'the the elimination of GP burnout' by introducing physician assistants.

THE GMC WILL STIPULATE THAT GPs WILL HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATES.EVENTUALLY THE "ASSOCIATES" WILL BE ON £50k FULL TIME AND THE GPs TAKING RESPONSIBILITY WILL BE ON £40K FULL TIME.YOU SEE THE GOVERNMENT HAVE A AN INCREDIBLY CRUDE AND CHILD-LIKE UNDERSTANDING OF MARKET FORCES

'Forward thinking American healthcare organisations' should not be used as a model for the NHS in the U.K. Instead of looking for solutions abroad the DofH should be listening to those here on the front line